■i c 






,0' 'o 




MASSAi.li 
MASSx\CHU 




CWIO J HOWELL /^ND SOM 
CMLEMG'NEERS IN CltAR-3E OF IMPFfOVEMENTS 



[SETTS AVENUE PARK 

AND 

lETTS AVENUE HEIGHTS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 








Monrifass f/'^'f 



728-732 15th ST. N. W. 

Director of Sales 



Sales Agents 

RANDALL H. HAGNER & CO. 

1207 Conn. Ave. 

STORY i coaa w. ^. pilu.nc 



\ 



ri— ir fc aiiiniiiw' i wrnii i i iti wiinwn iii i i ni i i inii i ii imi i phiukhiii i iw iii i i i iinfiw 



MASSACHUSETTS 

AVENUE 

PARR 





The \^'ashinKton Monument from the Treasury 



m 14 1917 



^f'^ 






MASSACHUSETTS 

AVENUE 

PARR 




JOHN W. THOMPSON & CO. 



INCORPORATEC 



Director of Sales 
728-732 FIFTEENTH STREET, N. W. 
WASHINGTON. D. C. 

Sales Agents 

Randall H. Hagner & Co.. 1207 Connecticut Ave. 

Story & Cobb, 1112 Connecticut Ave. W. J. PiLLING, 1405 Eve St. 



ij^g^gi ^iuu'j 



■Txcui; 





V 

©CI.A47824n 



Copyright, 1917, by J„lm W. Tliomj.son & Co.. Washmplon, D. C. 




MASSACHUSETTS 
AVENUE PARK 



^HERE are two contending longings which mark the highly 
civilized man — the thirst of his primal nature for the 
country, and the hunger of his cultivated mind for the 
quickening communion of the human city. Little has been 
left untried for realizing these two desires in one scheme of life. 
From the hanging gardens of Babylon to the roof-gardens of a 
modern American metropolis, the story runs unchanging through 
changing time. If a metropolis could be created today with all 
that makes a city splendid it might be so planned as to contain the 
country within it — some wondrous New York where men might 
dwell in noble houses amid such a tract as Central Park. But a 
metropolis cannot be created — it grows, and it grows less by design 
than by its own confusedly accumulated greatness. If it retains 
an unspoiled place of virgin woods and hills, it is too precious for 
any man or any set of men to enjoy exclusively. 

It will be difficult indeed to believe that any modern American 
city contains such a unique preserve, and still more difficult to 
realize that the capital of the nation has such a country dwelling- 
place within it. Washington, which has grown so magnificent under 
inspired city planning that men of all lands declare that it will soon 
be the most beautiful city in the world, might well be supposed to 
have left no natural advantage unutilized. Such, however, has 




Looking North from Massachusetts Avenue over Rock Creek Park 
along the Eastern Boundary of Massachusetts Avenue Park 



been the case. There has remained in the best part of the capital 
a place of woods and hills and dales, nnappropriated for park 
purposes, and until recently, uninvaded by the street-maker — a 
'rus in urbe' of two hundred and thirty-eight acres of the utmost 
beauty and charm. Rich in the trees of the lusty American mixed 
forest, its hills and dales suggest that desire for habitation always 
foreign to the bare plots of so-called land improvements. This 
large territory was, until a short time ago, left untouched, chiefly 
l3ecause the Permanent Highway Plan of the City of Washington 
required subdivision along the regulation city lines of rectangular 
plots brought to city grade. Had the tract been opened under this 
law, it would be today magnificent, no doubt, with city houses and 
pretentious apartment buildings, but a true city section. By a special 
Act of Congress it became possible to develop it, not as a city sub- 
division, but as a city site for true country homes. This place of 
forest crowned hills is not a suburb ; it is within a two mile radius 
of the White House and but half a mile from Sheridan Circle, the 
center of the National Capital's social life. At an average elevation 
of more than t^v o hundred feet above Pennsylvania Avenue it lies 
in that area denominated by The Washington Post. ''The Triangle 
of Increasing Values" between Connecticut and Massachusetts 
Avenues, the latter Washino-ton's finest residential street. It is 
protected by barriers which are more than mere buyers' and sellers' 
agreements as to its restrictions. Rock Creek Park forms the 
eastern boundary of the tract. A commission has been appointed 
to acquire more land to broaden the park at this point and also to 
connect it with Potomac Park. This is being done under plans 
formulated by the Fine Arts Commission, composed of such men 



Polo on the Potomac Parkway 




Chew Chase Clubhouse 



as Messrs. Daniel H. Burnham, Charles F. McKim, Frederick Law 
Olmsted, Jr., Augustus St. Gaudens, and Col. William W. Harts. 

On the southwest, the Naval Observatory Park fronts it just across 
Massachusetts Avenue, and Rock Creek Park Extension also forms 
part of the boundary on this side. Where the frontier of parks 
does not extend, the property is protected by conditions created 
through private wealth and the love of art and beauty. On the 
north and west of the tract, there lie the richly appointed estates 
of United States Senator Francis G. Newlands, Charles J. Bell, Esq., 
United States Senator James H. Brady, and James Parmelee, 
Esq., and also the St. Albans Schools, The National Cathedral School 
for Girls and the Cathedral School for Boys, with the Protestant 
Episcopal Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul adjoining. 




Protestant Episcopal Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul 



Thus permanently restricted far beyond its own confines, the tract 
offered an opportunity which, it was recognized never could present 
itself again in Washington and, prol^al^ly never in any other 
ojreat American city. The plan for opening the territory was placed 
in the most skillful hands, and every foot of roadway, every grade 
and curve was designed with the one controlling purpose of 
preserving it in whole and in part as a virgin landscape. Therefore, 
notwithstanding that the entire territory has l^een provided with 
driveways, sidewalks, sewers, water and lights, it retains wholly 
unmarred its natural beauty. The winding roads are curtained 
everywhere behind trees and shrubs; nooks and glades lie unpro- 
faned ; the many vistas that beckon to glimpses of Washington and 
its environments are set in woods that have grown through un- 
troubled years into an art that man cannot attain. All the roads, 




Residence of Mrs. Robert S. McCormick, Massachusetts Avenue and Thirtieth Street 



and even the sidewalks, follow the natural undulations of the land, 
and technical skill has succeeded so brilliantly in making the grades 
that whether one goes by automobile or on foot the ascents are 
perceptible only through the ever-changing views of the other parts 
of the tract, the city lying below, the Potomac, and beyond, the hills 
of Virginia and Maryland. 

Massachusetts Avenue Park is apportioned into sites, each of 
which conforms to the landscape. As they are of widely varying 
outline and area, a purchaser can select one in harmony with the 
character of the home that he plans to erect. The villa sites range 
from those suitable for residences costing $15,000 as a minimum 
to others that invite structures costing $250,000 or more. Obviously, 
since the areas and shapes of all the plots vary, it is impossible to 
refer here in any definite way to the matter of cost. The best 
indication may be had from the statement that the sites are offered 




V, Rtiv. Architect 



Residence of W. W. Wetmore. Rock Creek and Woodland Drives 



at prices that are only fifty per cent, and in some cases, only twenty- 
five per cent of the prices now being obtained for nearby built-up 
property — property of the most desirable class although not com- 
parable in beauty or exclusiveness to Massachusetts Avenue Park. 

While many of those who purchase in Massachusetts Avenue 
Park will naturally be automobile owners, the tract will have 
perfect accessibility by street-cars for the convenience of tradesmen, 
servants, etc., as the opening of Calvert Street, west of Connecticut 
Avenue, is now under way and will bring the center of the property 
within three city blocks of surface transportation on that avenue. 
By automobile, the center of the city is but a few moments distant, 
and is reached in but little longer time by trolley. The Com- 
missioners of the District of Columbia in 1914, in a published 
report, approved the extension of a street-car line from Connecticut 
Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue, through Massachusetts Avenue Park, 
by way of Calvert Street and Cleveland Avenue, but the building 
of a line at that time was impossible, as Calvert Street had not been 
opened. However, with the opening and improvement of this street 
public necessity will require this connection. 

The inspiration that led to the plan outlined for opening this 
property has not had in view the financial aspect first, but the ideal 
of creating a stately place of habitation that would appeal to the 
distinguished men and women whom Washington attracts, not only 
because it is the center of the nation's statesmenship and political 
affairs, but also the center of America's learning and art. 

It is impossible to adequately describe the unprecedented condi- 
tions which obtain in Massachusetts Avenue Park, and therefore 
it is necessary to visit the tract to fully appreciate the excellence of 




Looking South on W oodland IJrive 




Cathedral School for Boys 




An Attractive Corner on Normanstone Drive and Thirtieth Street 



the location, its wonderful charm as a place of residence and the 
extremely low cost for land of such value. A number of sites have 
already been sold and building has begun, so that there can be no 
sense of unpleasant isolation for those who may now decide to 
choose Massachusetts Avenue Park for their place of residence. 
No other property in Washington can now, or ever compare with 
this in natural beauty. With the tract developed, and with the 
character of houses and grounds assured by careful restriction, 
it will be by far the most beautiful part of the most beautiful city 
in the world. 




Hock Cn-ck l)ii\f. Kasi from Massachusetts Avenue. Hock Oeek I'aik on Hijilit 




Rock Oeek Drive at Intersection of Nornianstone Drive 




Looking South on Woodland Drive at Twenty-ninth Street 
showing Washington Monument in the distance 




Panoramic \ icw of Sherida 




Panoramic \ iew of \^ ashin^toi 




r<'l<'. iMassacliusflls Avein 




m Massachusetts Avenue Park 




Intersection of Woodland Drive and Rock Creek Drive 
with Natural Bridge over Rock Creek 




r 




Normanstone Drive, looking East towards Thirtieth Street 
Rock Creek Park on the Right 




ikiiit: Kast fr(.)m Massachusetts Avenue. Rock (Ireek Park on tlie Rialit 




Looking North on Normanstone Drive 




Looking up Thirty-second Street IVoni Normanstone Drive 




Looking North on Thirtieth Street at Intersection ol Woodland Drive 




Twill Oaks," Residence of Charles J. Bell, ojiposite Northern Boundary of Massachusetts Avenue Park 



:<S^3r L^>i%, 




Chrkcn:,Xi:c„uu^,A, 



Residence of Mrs. L. F. Day, to be erected on North Side of Massachusetts Avenue at Thirtieth Street 




Thirty-second Street, North of Woodland Drive, showing Intersection of Cleveland Avenue 




Looking South from Woodland Drive, down Thirtieth Street 




'^"?> 



Looking North on Woodland Drive, near Twenty-ninth Street 




' Westover.'' Residence of C'harles C. Glover. Massachusetts Avenue. West of Wisconsin Avenue 




Residence of Senator James H. Brady, on Woodley Road, adjoining a portion of Massachusetts Avenue 

Park on the North 




' Friendship," Home of Edward B. McLean, West of Massachusetts Avenue on Wisconsin Avenue 




' Woodley," Home of Senator Francis G. Newlands, situated on Woodley Road, adjoining portion ot 
Massachusetts Avenue Park on the North 




'Causeway,' Home of James Parmelee. Esij., Klingle Road and McComb Street, adjoining Massachusetts 

Avenue Park on the East 




rlif II aggfina't , A rchitect 



Residence of Mrs. John R. WilHams, North Side of Massachusetts Avenue at Rock Creek 




Home of John Havs Hammond. Kalorama Road and Twentv-third Street. East of Massachusetts Avenue Park 




Connecticut Avenue Viaduct over Rock Creek Drive, just East of Massachusetts Avenue Park 




Home ol John W . Thompson, at Intersection of Woodland Drive, Twenty-ninth and Calvert Streets 




Home of Clarke Waggeman, Woodland Drive, Twenty-ninth Street and Rock Creek Drive 




Sales Olli.r l.,r \la-sa(liii<e(i^ A\riuic I'ark al iul(i,M;(:ti,,a ol W u.Hllaiul Drive and Thirty-second Street 




'Ruthven Lodge," where Dolly Madison secreted herself when the British burned the White House in 1814 
and which has been demolished to make way for the improvement of the Park 



M%/^ 




Entrance Way to Massachusetts Avenue Park. Capitol and Monument in background 



JIS 



■J. « 



MASSACHUJ 




tVWIO J HOW^U AND SON 
CV!LENGIN£ERS IN CHARGE OF IMPROVEM 



5E 1 TS AVENUE PARK 

AND 

CTTS AVENUE HEIGHTS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 



^^*«^ 




ino^'^Tss e^^f 



c^^' 



•s- b' 



.<^' 






A o. 



o ^ 



•o^- 
.0^, 



^0^ 



^\ 



r 



■>°-'-^., 



^^^o^ 



o-N"-' 






■?..s,v -^ 



■J" 






^^rS 



S-^^ 

V^. 









\p. 



V, 



.-iq^ 






><-<; 



>N'' 






.^'5 



.^''^. 



^^^ 
..^^^^.. 






■->'•■■'■< 
















^^^%^^/ .^ 






A 













^^m^^ j^J^ JK"^ j\r^m$ ^^^-^ 



c^-' 



^ ^y^^^ ^ ^ 







^^-n^. 






,0^ 






■..^j'.% -e^ 



A" 



• „r*">\. '. > 



A 



A°^ 



























• => - ° \\^ °-*- " ' f ^ . . ^^ ° " ° 



K-^ 









^<i' 



V 












■^^^■>. 









.G"- 



,o^^,o;4:v_ 



o 






^0 






,v-' 



"* 



'■;./■ 












w, . ■■-■■" 









^^•0 

>^'%. 






0' _t. 



;-•'> 
























<. 



^•^ 






'o 



.n S 



' ,0 






o. .... A < o 












'>^ 



<. 






^ 






o > 
.0 ^ 









-^-0^ 

>^" 



/ °' 



■^oV^ 







\ ' 




%.^'- 














x*^-^^ 



xOv%. 










0^ - ' • ' 

*w* ••^m- %/ ■""■■' %.^^* " \/ " "" " %.** -^Z ' " 

.. - „ "J- <vX . 'U ^ '7- aX "C* ,,v „ » o -t- V -Oj 



hzos4 % 

^ V- O^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 366 290 






